[He hopes he gets some more money from the money fairy soon. Or whatever. Because it's not like he can easily get a job with a criminal record. He'll figure it out.]
There's always trouble of some kind when you roll with me... I'm kinda trying to lay low since my last slew of chaotic events, but I'd be up for some light trouble with you. Something tamer.
( That wink. Dammit, Eli. Ko hides his mouth with a swig of his whiskey-coke, sinking a little further in his seat. )
I'm almost scared to ask what light trouble is for you. I think we must've been very different growing up.
( Ko was lonely and moody and pushing people away despite needing attention and love desperately. Highly focused and driven. Disadvantaged but determined.
His eyes narrow, but they're unfocused on the spot in front of him. )
Exploring, mostly. Our tiny village wasn't much, but there were some off limits spots he liked to go to. We planned trips to the city but never seemed to make it.
( He'd sing for him in a certain empty cathedral; tone deaf as he was, Ko tried his hardest, and Reiji still somehow enjoyed it. Probably one of the kindest souls he'd ever known. )
Mm. I haven't been terribly bored, but that might be more the people instead of Karteria itself ...
no subject
Date: 2026-01-23 12:36 am (UTC)From:[He hopes he gets some more money from the money fairy soon. Or whatever. Because it's not like he can easily get a job with a criminal record. He'll figure it out.]
Hard to imagine you bullying anyone.
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Date: 2026-01-24 01:25 pm (UTC)From:Ko just grins. )
He's seen the worst of my growing pains. I used to be worse as a child, I think.
( Then he finishes off his drink, making a little noise in the back of his throat. )
Oh, that felt stronger ... Don't let me get too stupid.
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Date: 2026-01-26 06:22 am (UTC)From:[Wait, no don't. He was awful.]
What if I want you to get stupid?
[He smiles teasingly, playing with Ko's hand.]
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Date: 2026-01-26 10:12 am (UTC)From:Then I'd call you brave. I tend to get bitey, but I can't remember the last time I was proper drunk.
( Although Eli kind of likes bitey, huh. )
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Date: 2026-01-26 04:46 pm (UTC)From:[Eli immediately looks for the server, flags them down.]
Another whiskey-coke for him. Double. [He points at Ko and then holds up two fingers. The server nods and goes off to make it, and Eli grins.]
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Date: 2026-01-26 06:20 pm (UTC)From:You like being bitten up that much? You can just ask.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-26 06:41 pm (UTC)From:[Won't get what you want if no one knows what you want; might as well be frank.]
Plus, I think you'd be a cute drunk. Aside from being cute all the time.
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Date: 2026-01-27 12:04 am (UTC)From:Alright, but I don't want to go overboard. I'm relying on you.
( Then he takes a bigger swig of his whiskey-coke. )
Although ... I think the bartender might be secretly on your side, or something.
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Date: 2026-01-27 12:33 am (UTC)From:[He doesn't have enough discipline for himself, let alone other people.
He smiles smugly.]
They know me here.
[Which perhaps is nothing to brag about since it means he probably just has a drinking problem. Don't worry about it.]
no subject
Date: 2026-01-28 01:37 am (UTC)From:( Hmm. Maybe a little is fine.
It doesn't occur to him this could be because of some weird Spectral impulsivity, so he drinks again and sits back in his seat. )
I think even as a teenager I didn't really get up to much trouble ... I'd be in your care again if the mood strikes.
( He says it sardonically; Ko isn't the type to get into trouble very much. )
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Date: 2026-01-28 02:08 am (UTC)From:[He winks.]
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Date: 2026-01-28 03:13 am (UTC)From:I'm almost scared to ask what light trouble is for you. I think we must've been very different growing up.
( Ko was lonely and moody and pushing people away despite needing attention and love desperately. Highly focused and driven. Disadvantaged but determined.
His eyes narrow, but they're unfocused on the spot in front of him. )
no subject
Date: 2026-01-28 03:19 am (UTC)From:[It sounds like they weren't that different, actually, just that Eli got the attention he craved by kicking, screaming, and fighting.
He tilts his head at Ko's reaction, reaching over to run a fingertip along his jaw toward his chin to encourage Ko to look at him.]
You okay? What are you thinking?
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Date: 2026-01-28 03:29 am (UTC)From:Reiji and Eli would have gotten along, he thinks. )
I'm alright, just thinking about a friend. One who would try to drag me into things from time to time.
( As though he's uncomfortable with talking about himself, he polishes off his drink. )
Oh. Okay. Yeah, the bartenders are definitely on your side here.
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Date: 2026-01-28 04:05 am (UTC)From:What kind of things?
[He grins, downing the rest of his own drink.]
They don't water it down, that's for sure. That's part of why I like this place. You'll find a lot of Karteria is watered down and boring.
no subject
Date: 2026-01-28 04:54 am (UTC)From:( He'd sing for him in a certain empty cathedral; tone deaf as he was, Ko tried his hardest, and Reiji still somehow enjoyed it. Probably one of the kindest souls he'd ever known. )
Mm. I haven't been terribly bored, but that might be more the people instead of Karteria itself ...